diff --git a/net/ipv4/fou_core.c b/net/ipv4/fou_core.c
index 865bd7205122..ab09dfcdecbd 100644
--- a/net/ipv4/fou_core.c
+++ b/net/ipv4/fou_core.c
@@ -629,9 +629,9 @@ static int fou_create(struct net *net, struct fou_cfg *cfg,
 	return 0;
 
 error:
-	kfree(fou);
 	if (sock)
 		udp_tunnel_sock_release(sock->sk);
+	kfree_rcu(fou, rcu);
 
 	return err;
 }